Kew Primary Schools - Broomfield vs Kew Green Prep vs Kew College Prep

[DotingDaddy76]

Hi all,
We’ve been looking at independent primary schools in Kew for our (2.5 yo) daughter and have looked at Broomfield School, Kew Green Prep and Kew College Prep (ruled out Unicorn School). We have some initial thoughts below (which also might help other parents with their decision process) but would really appreciate any thoughts or comments from current parents to see if there are any potential issues we might not be aware of or (ideally!) recommendations if people are happy.

Kew College Prep - we felt they seemed to focus the most on academics at first blush (without leaning into hothousing) and this school was also the cheapest of the three. It’s also the only one that is fully independent vs being part of a group like the others.

Kew Green Prep seemed a little more relaxed than the other two with regards to academics and more focused on making sure children are well-rounded and confident when they finish. The open day we attended was very polished with some of the children welcoming us and a presentation and chat with the head girl and other teachers. We loved the look and feel of the school (it’s much newer than the other two, having been formed in the early 2000s and the head teacher is a just two years in and seems to be vivacious and ambitious with new ideas so we can see the school continuing to improve over the next few years under her tenure). The new nursery they’ve just put in is lovely and we had a good feeling overall. We also understood this to be part of the Gardiner Group who seem methodical and careful in how they operate, and focused on long-term sustainable growth (vs a more financially focused owner).

Broomfield House School - seemed halfway between the other two in terms of both academics and extracurricular / well-roundedness. We really liked the head teacher and they’ve got plans to invest in a science lab with a focus on emerging tech etc. This school is part of Dukes Group (for better or worse) and I understand there are some concerns as to the owners’ intentions when it comes to filling their secondary schools and the investment in their teachers and schools.

They all seem great and it just seems to be a choice of gut feel but does anyone have any other suggestions on what we should be looking for, anything we might have missed or concerns / recommendations if you’re a current school parent?

😅 and why would you look at leavers destinations before they were taken over by Dukes?? You can only look at the last 2 years or so, before that the cohorts were mostly educated by the previous ownership, and had objectives looking towards non Dukes secondary schools. You can also ask them why they replaced the actual stats on offers on their website by some non descriptive crosses instead of giving the actual stats firsthand without having to ask for it. (And the website revamp does not count as excuse before you say so 😊)

You just to take the facts as they are and make what you want of it. Watch for the hike on fees too, we need to pay that debt held by private equity owned Dukes don't we - rates have hiked so I do wonder how they are actually doing.

This is all so helpful as we consider various schools in Kew/Richmond including Kew college and Broomfield. Can anyone speak to the extra curriculars/sports/clubs and competitions at either of these schools?

May I ask why you ruled out Unicorn please?

That's the only one I'm considering alongside Newland House in Teddington atm.

hi there, with regards to Unicorn, nothing specific. We did like the headmistress and the feel of the school (small, cosy). It seemed great if you want to be an active part of the parental community and the school itself in terms of activities etc but ultimately we just felt that the other schools just seemed to offer more in line with what we wanted and had to start narrowing our choices so decided Unicorn wasn’t going to make the final cut.

Only have first hand knowledge of Kew College, but assuming in some ways the sport provision at the two schools is similar (as neither of them have huge amounts of space, so kids need to go off site for PE as they get older). However, we have been pleasantly surprised by how much sport is included at KC. As mentioned above, lots of after school clubs. Also optional lessons for piano etc during school time. Great music and dance lessons.

PS am sure Broomfield has lots of good activities available also. Tbh @Swimmummy I think it’s probably areas other than sport / extracurricular where the two schools are set apart.

Thank you! Have sent you a PM

Do you have any actual facts to impart about Broomfield, as opposed to what you think could happen and a private equity run down? Results/ offers by school the past year were even better than the last four years and frankly impressive, not supporting the idea that children will be fed to Kneller. Many, many schools present data with an ‘x’. You have commented in a similar fashion on every post concerning Broomfield / Duke’s on mumsnet …

I noticed the same thing about @Coronateachingagain

@DotingDaddy76 (and others making decisions) I hope there has been some helpful info here. The more I think about it - I think you had it all sorted from your original post with very good observations! 😉 All the schools are a bit different to each other and will therefore suit different children and families. I have heard of movement amongst all of them (and also from the prep schools to local state schools and vice versa). So go with your gut and you will hopefully be fine - but if not - changing at the end of nursery or reception is not the end of the world! All the best with it…

Thank you @gabbycat29 - very much appreciate everyone’s input. It’s been massively helpful. Thanks all!

Thank you for your insights @DotingDaddy76 @gabbycat29

Looks like you have the numbers behind the Xs? You may as well share- nothing better than "facts" to dispel "rumours". I essentially notch down high debt / cash strapped companies and this one is out for scrutiny (and everyone is entitled to own opinion too, we can just discuss it)

By the way same cautiousness with Inspired or Alpha schools - they are out to aggregated schools and make money. Like any business. So we need to look at the provision with that in mind

Hi, Kew Green parent here. It was probably my child who was doing the Q&A at the open day. have two kids there and love it. The school is not a hot house but frankly you wont get any academic secondary school if you rely on your primary school alone. you have to tutor yourself or get a tutor. overall i see a massive difference in the children who come out item three school. no regrets to have picked Kew Green. my second child is there and we love it. the pastoral care is second to none.

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